Neither Eastern Nor Lightning Can Slow Up Northern Illinois

September 25, 1994|By Bill Jauss, Tribune Staff Writer.

DE KALB — Northern Illinois led Eastern Illinois 14-3 with 4 minutes 24 seconds left in the first half Saturday night when referee J.C. Louderback decided he had seen enough of the lightning that was crackling around Huskie Stadium.

So the ref sent the Huskies and Panthers off the field for a 28-minute delay, even though most of the Northern guys wanted to keep playing.

"We had the ball on the 7-yard line," said quarterback Aaron Gilbert. "We wanted to stay out there and knock 'em out right then at the end of the half."

"I didn't want to go off," said backup tailback Charles Talley. "We wanted to put it in the end zone."

The KO wasn't delayed very long. When play resumed, Gilbert, Talley, Brian Grimes & Associates delivered the power and energy that the lightning had previously provided. Three snaps after play resumed, 5-foot-11-inch, 227-pound Talley, en route to a 141-yard rushing night, recorded his second 3-yard TD run. NIU led 21-3.

A moment later, Gilbert and flanker Vaurice Patterson collaborated on the knockout-a pinpoint pass and a clutching end-zone catch for the 48-yard TD that created a 28-3 halftime bulge.

Then, on Northern's first offensive play of the second half, first-string tailback Grimes, backup to All-American LeShon Johnson last year, burst 75 yards for a TD and a 35-3 spread.

The only question at this point was "How high the score?" It finished 49-17, leaving both teams at 1-3.

"This is my last year," said Grimes, who rushed for 121 yards on only eight carries. "Hopefully, I can shine just as much as LeShon did."

"I was concerned during the delay that it might affect us like the lightning delay at Southwestern Louisiana," said Gilbert, referring to the Huskies' 29-9 loss two weeks ago. Northern coach Charlie Sadler wouldn't let that happen.

"We were able to work more during the delay than we had at Southwestern Louisiana," said Sadler. "We kept in touch with the weather bureau and knew when the storm was leaving. We knew when we'd go back on the field. We kept stressing, `Now, let's go out and make this touchdown. Let's have no execution problem on the goal line.' "

Gilbert had a confidence-builder of a game. He completed 10 of 13 passes for 174 yards. There were no interceptions, no sacks and two TDs. He connected with Ralph Strickland in the third quarter to make the score 42-3.

Northern outgained Eastern 609-228 in total net yards. Sadler called off the dogs and cleared his bench. Twelve different Huskies carried the ball. Eastern's two TDs came against backup Northern defenders.

The Panthers' high-water mark came early in the second quarter when they trailed 7-3 and threatened to go ahead. Hard running by tailback Willie High set up a first-and-goal situation from the Huskie 5. Cornerback Scott Caringella made a great stop on the goal line. Huskie defenders stopped High on three rushes. On fourth down from the 1, Greg Parrish intercepted Pete Mauch's pass in the end zone.

"That stand and interception did it," said Spoo. "After that, Northern took it right down and scored."

"Our defense never had a lack of confidence," said Sadler. "They played some pretty stiff competition. Our offense and our quarterback got come confidence they needed tonight. Gilbert threw the ball right on the money."